Last of October Events

We here at the Marquardt love each and every wedding that takes place here. We had been especially looking forward to this wedding however, because the bride and groom hired a well known Texas Country Music singer - Gary P. Nunn. We had to keep it under wraps tightly because we were concerned that uninvited guests would crash their wedding just to enjoy a free concert. Over the last year we had been able to get to know this couple pretty well and we'll miss them. We wish them the best of luck in their new lives together!

Two round tables connected with a 4ft sweetheart table made up the head table which sat right infront of the band. This table was later removed for more dancing room - they needed all the room they could get. The dance floor was packed!


I thought this was a really unique gift idea. It really fit their personalities!


View of the band from above.


Just had to get a picture of him.


The band stayed around at the end of the night to sign autographs and talk to the guests. Two guests actually got to come up on stage and sing with Gary. The whole night was a lot of fun!

Three for Three

I wasn't able to get any photos of our second wedding this weekend so here is Sunday's Wedding.

This couple were totally made for each other. They were so nice to work with and never even had a stressed out moment (at least that I saw) =). They were a lot of fun, adventurous and took some really amazing pictures - especially on the bell towers. I was busy assisting them up there so I did not get any of those shots. We'll just have to wait for the photographer's images. =( I did get a few of her table decorations and unique ceremony structure.


Special guests were given little vases of wheat with their name listed in the window area. These were then used to "stake out" their seat at the reception before the ceremony began




The groom and the father of the bride built this ceremony structure together. It was a great idea and good time spent bonding before the ceremony. They were married in front of it and moved inside to light the unity candle. Note to brides - ALWAYS use taper candles for unity candle ceremonies. They used pillar candles and the bride got hot wax all over her hand, and almost lit her veil on fire while trying to light their main candle.

Three Wedding Weekend

First of the three events took place on Friday. Pumpkins and Hay Bales were the theme of this wedding and the bride did a great job of putting the idea together. This is a view of the front doors to the facility. A similar set up was also done at the ceremony site.



This bride also choose to use silk flowers for her cake and bouquets. Each bridesmaid had a color bouquet that you see on the cake. The bride's flowers was a mixture of all 5 colors.



The happy couple right after the ceremony.

Fall is Here

This bride and groom currently live in California. Several of her vendors were brought in from out of town to help her with her wedding. Her photographer, violinist, guitarist and soloist all came from CA and her wedding coordinator came in from Dallas. She had an extremely unique table runner idea which could be repeated in many different colors to get different effects.

She choose to do red linens with cream lace runners and yellow, orange and red flowers. This fit the season very well and complimented the look of the facility.


Outside centerpieces were the brides idea as well and they put these together with a candle in the middle surrounded by 5 other votive candles.

Sheppard's Hooks are becoming very very popular lately. They look great and dont' take alot of effort to customize and fit your color themes.
Low sheppard's hooks lined the entire walk way from the building to the ceremony area. They offered great color against the green lawn.

New Designs

This bride had booked with us before we were even half way through construction in early 2007. She was a local bride and everyone in town seemed to know her and her family. Her brother is actually a police officer who frequently does security for us. It was a very busy day with about 250 guests. Despite the threat of rain her day was absolutely perfect. I was only able to get a couple of shots, but enjoy!





The brides mother hand made all 25 centerpiences with silk flowers. It took her about 6 months to complete them all. She was very well organized and it helped the decoration process a lot!


The cake table was placed in the middle of the room so it could be the focal point. After the bride and groom cut it, it was moved out of the way and that area became the dance floor. Certainly a first for us!

Southern Living

I clearly remember when this bride booked with us a year ago. Our October dates were filling up fast and other people were interested in the date she was too. She was able decide quickly and we were fortunate enough to book her as one of our brides!

Since we'd already had our Martha Stewart Bride, we decided to dub this bride our Southern Living Bride. She got her inspiration from Southern Living Magazines and actually ordered her centerpiences from their magazine. She had four different centerpieces - three of which were made of wroght iron. Her colors were fall themed and she carried that theme through out her entire event very well!
Below are some pictures I was able to capture of her event.

Orange roses added elegance and bursts of color.

The bride put together hand made notes and reserved signs to fit her theme. Instead of a traditional sign in book, guests were asked to leave the bride and groom a note on special paper slips with colorful markers.


Overview of her sign in table. Photos of the couple and from her bridal shoot are always good ideas for your sign in table area.


The bride made origami roses to adorn her cake.





The Grooms cake was four Chocolate Sunday Surprise cheese cakes. He is an avid duck hunter so that was the theme of this table.


Origami paper was wrapped into cones and filled with rose petals. These were given to guests as they lined up outside to wish the bride and groom farewell.


One of her four different centerpieces. Lots of candles and water made a perfect, romantic atmosphere in the evening.


Outside centerpieces and hanging Chinese lanterns.


These wrought iron candle holders handing from Sheppard's hooks lined the walkway in front of the building. They were beautiful and smelled like holiday spice. Keeping them lit was an impossible task - but the idea was good.

Back from the Dead

I have been a terrible blogger this last month and I apologize. I do however have lots to update you all with! We'll start with where we left off, the end of September. Please excuse my point and shoot pictures. I'll post some professional pictures here soon.

This bride and groom were really fun. His family owns a pluming company.

As a nod to the groom, they had a very special grooms cake! Only the "lid" to the toilet seat was real, enough for them to ceremonially cut the cake. Cheese cakes from The Ultimate Cheese Cake store were served in "loo" of the groom's cake.

These very special vases, engraved with the Bride and Groom's name, were used as a sand ceremony. It is the same idea as a unity candle - once the two sands combine, you cannot separate the two different colors.

Specially made cake napkins.

This bride choose to have wine colored organza sashes on our chavari chairs. I really liked that idea as it added a touch of color to the facility.


Photo I took while on the bell tower!